R.ASCOT-Thursday-June17

A less in depth look at today's card, due to lack of time.

2.30 NORFOLK STAKES - 5f

Not a race I can rate accurately, But provisionally:

Dinkum Diamond is 5lbs clear.

Dubai Dynamo and

Excel Bolt are next.

I gave a favourable note on the latter's run in an earlier blog, but a word of warning ... Remember Dortmund? Short priced fav to follow up after a hard race where the front two pulled well clear in their private battle ... well similar applies to Excel Bolt, as he fought back to win a race he had lost half a furlong out. If he is a battler he may have enjoyed the tussle, but being a 2yo I doubt it.

Similar could apply to Stone of Folca who has an equal chance if he is fully recovered from Tuesday's race ... trainer thinks he has?

3.05 RIBBLESDALE STAKES - 12f

104 PRINCIPAL ROLE

104 FATANAH

97 ACQUAINTED

Summary - These are clear of the remainder, but note that they are all rated below their official h'cap mark, so no selection.

3.50 GOLD CUP - 20f

No worthwhile ratings, and too many without a current rating. No selection.

4.25 BRITTANIA STAKES - Class 2 handicap.

102 SEA LORD, plus 7lbs

86 ONE GOOD EMPEROR.plus 5lbs

87 FIREBACK, plus 3lbs

92 HYPNOTIZED, plus 1lb

The high draw may still favour Sea Lord, but not if they all crowd over there. Going stick suggests it is more even today, so as there is pace spread across the track they may well split into 3 groups? One Good Emperor is stepping up in grade, but has a featherweight to carry.

There are a host of others who are on, or near their mark, so it will come down to who has made the biggest improvement, and gets the luck in running.

5.00 HAMPTON COURT STAKES - Class 1 Listed 10f

I could not find a positive rating for any, so no selection.

5.30 KING GEORGE V STAKES - Class 2 Handicap

98 LONDON STRIPE, plus 10lbs

98 CONTRACT CATERER, plus 5lbs

89 BERLING, plus 2lbs

87 BAY WILLOW plus 2lbs

Summary - Only concern about the selection is the ground, it has yet to race on anything faster than good, and Sadlers Wells to boot, AND, a going stick reading of 10 would be FIRM any where but here? Contract Caterer may have rated higher but for interference, and Fallon on board is a plus.

Berling is stepping up in class, but is on the upgrade, so a place chance? Bay Willow was my first Top Spot blog race and has obviously had this as a target after his win .. a bit to find but trainer in fine form.

As I seem to select the wrong ones, I suggest you pick your own, or if you had a selection that matches one from my short-list, so much the better?

Happy punting people.

Cheers Gerry